This year, the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is hosting senior Fulbright scholar Lilas Al Dakr, a Jordanian professor from the University of Petra. Al Dakr will teach courses in French and women’s and gender studies at Case Western Reserve University while conducting research on Lebanese-born French author Amin Maalouf and exploring texts of women writers of the Arab world with students and colleagues.
Al Dakr obtained her PhD from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis in France with a specialization in French comparative literature with a focus on women’s studies. Her experience spans more than 20 years in French language education. She has also singlehandedly founded and managed two successful modern languages departments at two leading universities in Jordan while also teaching French language and literature to a variety of students.
Cheryl Toman, professor and chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, worked with the Fulbright Commission so CWRU could host Al Dakr. Toman said: “We are delighted to have a Fulbright scholar of Dr. Al Dakr’s caliber on our campus for the year and I am excited to have her work with our students and our programs. She brings us a wealth of knowledge and expertise and our campus will be richer for it. I am grateful to administrators, colleagues, students, and community leaders in Cleveland who all supported Al Dakr’s award.”
Al Dakr is teaching FRCH/WGST 337: Women in the Arab World.